End of May, the city of Gdańsk became a hub for international civil protection cooperation when teams from across Europe gathered for EU MODEX Poland 2025. This large-scale field exercise was part of the 12th EU MODEX cycle and brought together five specialised response units for a four-day simulation of cross-border disaster deployment under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM).
On the ground were highly trained urban search and rescue (USAR) teams and communications teams from across the continent:
Together, they simulated the response to a large-scale emergency in an urban-industrial environment. The demanding yet realistic scenario was designed to challenge technical skill, coordination, adaptability and international cooperation.
This exercise wasn't just about ticking boxes. It was about learning through experience, improving teamwork in the field and fostering trust across borders. For many responders, this was their first opportunity to train alongside international partners in such a high-pressure setting.
Observers and trainers — many of whom were seasoned experts — ensured that feedback was immediate and constructive. This helped teams to refine their procedures, pinpoint areas for improvement, and reflect on what it means to be part of a joint European mission.
During the exercise, AT CBRN/USAR (Austria) and FR FENICS (France) successfully completed their certification for the European Civil Protection Pool (ECPP). The challenging scenario and structured evaluation provided ideal conditions in which to demonstrate their operational readiness, technical capacity and alignment with EU standards for international deployment.
Organised by a European consortium led by Johanniter International and hosted by the Polish State Fire Service, EU MODEX Poland 2025 was a clear example of how European civil protection partnerships translate into real operational readiness.
The Polish hosts provided outstanding support, not only in terms of logistics and infrastructure, but also in fostering an open and collaborative atmosphere that made the exercise a true success.
EU MODEX is about more than training — it is about ensuring that, when disaster strikes, Europe is ready. Ready to respond. Ready to support. Ready to protect.
The exercise in Gdańsk once again demonstrated that the UCPM is not merely a mechanism, but a vibrant community of professionals united by shared values and a common goal: saving lives, no matter the challenge.
Field exercises for urban search and rescue modules, medical teams, EUCPT and TAST and other response capacities.